Christ and Compromise

There are times when a middle ground  makes sense. Our political environment would do well to find compromise, solving verbose battles with quiet, level heads behind the scenes while the diatribe-laden "party leaders" fight it out on cable news. Personal relationships of all kinds are often called to follow the advice of the catchy country song, "You start walking your way, I'll start walking mine. We'll meet in the middle . . ." in order to survive. The business environment is fraught with such deals as well. The middle ground is often a place of progress and peace.

It does not, however, belong in the theology of a church.

I got myself worked up when reading a commentary piece by Jon Meacham in this week's Time Magazine regarding the strategy the Anglican church is taking regarding it's stance on a controversial doctrine. One sentence in particular stood out: the bishop had met with former Secretary of State James Baker and the two "agreed to think out possible diplomatic solutions to the crisis."

Diplomatic solutions? Is that the goal now? Diplomacy? Safety? Peace?

Meacham praises this approach through a muddled argument of needing to value some Scripture over others and to evaluate church doctrine in light of history. While I find Meacham to be a thoughtful and skilled writer, and though I have great respect for the tradition of the Anglican Church, I see this goal of diplomacy a severe divergence from Christ.

Christ was anything but diplomatic. Christ overturned tables, chastised, and challenged, boldly declaring "My way or no way." His love was (and is unconditional), but so was his Truth. He was unwavering in his commitment to the will of His Father. He may be known as the Prince of Peace, but He refused to gain that peace through compromise.

Diplomacy is for church league softball, musical choices, and deciding which brownies to serve at the church potluck, not for theology. There is one standard, set by God. The bishop, as a leader, is responsible for passionately, exhaustively, and humbly seeking out truth, valuing that, and communicating it to his followers. Whatever that truth is, on any issue, to that he must cling. If he wants diplomacy, perhaps leading Christ-followers is the wrong position in which to be.